Leeds United have confirmed Darko Milanic as their new head coach, following the departure of Dave Hockaday last month.
Despite only being appointed during the summer Hockaday lasted just six games in the Elland Road dugout, of which four were defeats. A number of names have since been linked with the position, including former players Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler, but Massimo Cellino has instead turned to the relatively unknown Milanic.
The 46-year-old former Slovenia international, who captained his country at Euro 2000, led Maribor to four league titles and three cup wins during a five-year stint in charge of Vijolice, before he took the reins at Sturm Graz. He guided the Austrian side to a fifth-place finish last season, and at the weekend he activated a buyout clause to release him from his contract in order to succeed Hockaday at the Championship club.
“Yes, we agreed a two-year deal,” the controversial Cellino confirmed to Sky Sports. “He’s just arrived today. We’ve been waiting for him about 15 days. I don’t know (why I’ve chosen him). The coaches are like watermelons. You find out about them when you open them. His particular qualities? He’s good looking, what can I tell you?
“He was a good coach with Maribor for four years and took the club to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, and he made it good as player and coach and he likes the Premier League. He gave up his place in the Premier League in Austria to come to the Championship with Leeds, and we hope that the club in Leeds is a good chance for him to have a good team and an important club to run, so he can make us proud. He does not talk much and is very pragmatic. I like him. He is a very cool guy.”
Milanic will be officially unveiled by Leeds on Wednesday morning, when it is expected to be confirmed that Neal Redfearn will remain with the first team to assist in the early weeks of the new tenure before returning to his role as academy chief.
Is this another underwhelming appointment by Leeds, or is Milanic the man to take them back to the Premier League? Let us know what you think by joining the discussion below!
